News & Features

Preview

High-Scoring Affair Awaits Warriors and Protectors

Two high-scoring teams in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League will go head to head on Saturday night when Warriors FC welcome Home United to the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Both clubs have yet to lose a match in the league this season and have also found the back of the net 13 times, which is the joint-highest scoring record with league leaders Albirex Niigata (S).

For Warriors, a club that struggled for most parts of last season and finished seventh, the nine-time S.League champions’ revival of fortunes have been boosted by the addition of seasoned campaigners such as Baihakki Khaizan and Shahril Ishak.

Defender Emmeric Ong believes that the arrival of established stars, coupled with the team’s understanding on and off the pitch, has helped the club to ensure a perfect start to their 2017 season.

“As we have the personnel this season, I'm not surprised about how we've done thus far,” explained Ong.

“It is also about understanding each other on and off the pitch because being unbeaten is one thing, playing well and getting the results is another. We could draw all five games and be unbeaten too.”

While scoring goals has not been an issue for Warriors this season, they have been leaking in goals at the other end as well, having allowed Garena Young Lions and Brunei DPMM to score three times against them.

Admitting that their defensive record in recent games has been far from ideal, Ong feels that the team have showed determination to eventually come away with a positive result.

“Yes, we have conceded six goals in our past two games and it should be something to look at and improve on,” said the 26-year-old.

“However, the fighting spirit which we showed to not give up and come back to turn the game around, scoring nine goals in two games, is something to give credit to the team.”

Despite declaring his admiration for Home’s scoring prowess - forward Stipe Plazibat is the top scorer in the league with eight goals - Ong is confident that Warriors are capable of clinching all three points.

“I agree that Home look really good offensively having scored so many goals both in the league and the AFC Cup,” noted Ong.

“But we have to have the confidence in ourselves that on our day, we can beat any team in the league.

“With experienced players like Bai (Baihakki Khaizan) and Hafiz O (Hafiz Osman) leading our backline, I'm sure we are able to nullify the threat posed by Home and get a good result.”